Apparatus and method for forming absorbent cores

ABSTRACT

Several variations of core formation techniques and machines to produced cores are disclosed, including a large and small discrete core, formed on a screen and combined; a large and small continuous core, formed on a web; and two and three-dimensional cores, formed on a screen, and core formation on a non-woven web.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. Nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 13/607,127, filed Sep. 7, 2012, which is a nonprovisional of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/532,418, filed Sep. 8, 2011, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to formation of absorbent cores for use in disposable products such as diapers and sanitary napkins.

Sanitary napkins used in feminine hygiene are absorbent items worn by women to recover undesirable bodily discharges. These absorbent articles are typically comprised of an absorbent core sandwiched between layers of woven or non-woven materials.

Generally, diapers comprise an absorbent insert or patch and a chassis, which, when the diaper is worn, supports the insert proximate a wearer's body. Additionally, diapers may include other various patches, such as tape tab patches, reusable fasteners and the like. The raw materials used in forming a representative insert are typically cellulose pulp, tissue paper, poly, nonwoven web, acquisition, and elastic, although application specific materials are sometimes utilized. Usually, most of the insert raw materials are provided in roll form, and unwound and applied in assembly line fashion.

In the creation of a diaper (and, oftentimes also in conjunction with feminine hygiene products), multiple roll-fed web processes are typically utilized.

To create an absorbent insert, the cellulose pulp is unwound from the provided raw material roll and pulverized by a pulp mill. Discrete pulp cores are formed by a core forming assembly and placed on a continuous tissue web. Optionally, super-absorbent powder may be added to the pulp core. The tissue web is wrapped around the pulp core. The wrapped core is debulked by proceeding through a calendar unit, which at least partially compresses the core, thereby increasing its density and structural integrity. After debulking, the tissue-wrapped core is passed through a segregation or knife unit, where individual wrapped cores are cut. The cut cores are conveyed, at the proper pitch, or spacing, to a boundary compression unit.

While the insert cores are being formed, other insert components are being prepared to be presented to the boundary compression unit. For instance, the poly sheet is prepared to receive a cut core. Like the cellulose pulp, poly sheet material is usually provided in roll form. The poly sheet is fed through a splicer and accumulator, coated with an adhesive in a predetermined pattern, and then presented to the boundary compression unit. In addition to the poly sheet, which may form the bottom of the insert, a two-ply top sheet may also be formed in parallel to the core formation. Representative plies are an acquisition web material and a nonwoven web material, both of which are fed from material rolls, through a splicer and accumulator. The plies are coated with adhesive, adhered together, cut to size, and presented to the boundary compression unit. Therefore, at the boundary compression unit, three components are provided for assembly: the poly bottom sheet, the core, and the two-ply top sheet.

A representative boundary compression unit includes a die roller and a platen roller. When all three insert components are provided to the boundary compression unit, the nip of the rollers properly compresses the boundary of the insert. Thus, provided at the output of the boundary compression unit is a string of interconnected diaper inserts. The diaper inserts are then separated by an insert knife assembly and properly oriented. At this point, the completed insert is ready for placement on a diaper chassis.

A representative diaper chassis comprises nonwoven web material and support structure. The diaper support structure is generally elastic and may include leg elastic, waistband elastic and belly band elastic. The support structure is usually sandwiched between layers of the nonwoven web material, which is fed from material rolls, through splicers and accumulators. The chassis may also be provided with several patches, besides the absorbent insert. Representative patches include adhesive tape tabs and resealable closures.

The process utilizes two main carrier webs; a nonwoven web which forms an inner liner web, and an outer web that forms an outwardly facing layer in the finished diaper. In a representative chassis process, the nonwoven web is slit at a slitter station by rotary knives along three lines, thereby forming four webs. One of the lines is on approximately the centerline of the web and the other two lines are parallel to and spaced a short distance from the centerline. The effect of such slicing is twofold; first, to separate the nonwoven web into two inner diaper liners. One liner will become the inside of the front of the diaper, and the second liner will become the inside of the back of that garment. Second, two separate, relatively narrow strips are formed that may be subsequently used to cover and entrap portions of the leg-hole elastics. The strips can be separated physically by an angularly disposed spreader roll and aligned laterally with their downstream target positions on the inner edges of the formed liners.

After the nonwoven web is sliced, an adhesive is applied to the liners in a predetermined pattern in preparation to receive leg-hole elastic. The leg-hole elastic is applied to the liners and then covered with the narrow strips previously separated from the nonwoven web. Adhesive is applied to the outer web, which is then combined with the assembled inner webs having elastic thereon, thereby forming the diaper chassis. Next, after the elastic members have been sandwiched between the inner and outer webs, an adhesive is applied to the chassis. The chassis is now ready to receive an insert.

To assemble the final diaper product, the insert must be combined with the chassis. The placement of the insert onto the chassis occurs on a placement drum or at a patch applicator. The inserts are provided to the chassis on the placement drum at a desired pitch or spacing. The generally flat chassis/insert combination is then folded so that the inner webs face each other, and the combination is trimmed. A sealer bonds the webs at appropriate locations prior to individual diapers being cut from the folded and sealed webs.

Generally, disposable undergarments such as pants-type diapers are made up of two nonwoven layers of material with elastic strands of material placed between the two nonwoven layers of material thus creating an elastic web laminate. The layers of material are continuous sheets of material that are eventually cut into individual undergarment lengths. The elastic strands may be arranged and cut so that specific areas of the undergarment are free of elastic tension or forces. An absorbent pad, often contained within an insert or core is then also placed into the pants-type diaper product.

To insure the pants-type diaper retains a proper shape and to hold all of the added layers of the diaper, reinforcing layers and backing materials are normally added to the continuous sheets of material, with the reinforcing layers corresponding to the cut elastic strands of each individual blank. Each of these layers needs to be adhesively joined at some point in the manufacturing process to the elastic web laminate to form the completed undergarment.

Often, void spaces need to be created in the diaper, such as holes cut out of the main web for provided leg holes when the undergarment is ultimately formed. To create the void spaces, the web is ordinarily die cut, with the web severed between a die and an anvil. The portion of the web material that is removed is referred to as a “chip.” As the die wears throughout time, the severing of the chip from the web material becomes gradually a duller cut. This complicates the removal of the chip because the severing might not create a continuous cut out chip, with possibly some strands of the web material still coupling the chip with the web. It is desired to lengthen the amount of time and increase the number of chips that a single die can effectively be used for, to reduce the number of die change-outs.

The current practice in applying a stretchable web such as a poly web to a second web involves continuously feeding the poly web into the process which results in poly running full length of product, or alternatively, full length of a constructed insert core which is then placed onto a nonwoven-type chassis. Not all machine configurations can be adapted from a full length poly chassis to a poly insert configuration due to space and/or cost restrictions. It should be understood that application of the poly web along the entire length of the product, rather than only where it is useful, increases the amount of poly material which must be utilized. This is a waste of the material resource and adds additional cost to the product. It is therefore desirable to create a lower cost product by putting stretchable material into the product only where it is useful, instead of the complete product.

This invention relates to the art of vacuum wheels and more particularly to a vacuum wheel vacuum opening configuration that has improved vacuum holding power to hold articles in place.

A vacuum wheel in the form of a rotary member having vacuum holes opening onto a cylindrical outer surface for the support and retention of stretchable film is typically a component of an apparatus that is known for various applications. A common example where an apparatus including a vacuum wheel would be used includes the construction of apparel that is worn on the body such as disposable diapers. In this application, an elastic waistband is stretched before being inserted into the waistband region. An example of such an apparatus is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,925,520, commonly owned by the assignee hereof and incorporated herein by reference.

Absorbent articles including bandages, disposable diapers, and sanitary napkins, generally include an absorbent core that has a multiplicity of components so as to improve the article's ab sorption and retention characteristics.

Typically, the absorbent fibrous material is composed of cellulose wadding or cellulosic wood pulp material commonly referred to as “fluff”, although a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers is within the scope of the invention. An absorbent core composed of wood pulp fluff is typically formed by employing conventional air laying techniques.

These absorbent cores have had their total absorbency improved greatly by the addition of super absorbent material, or super absorbent polymer (SAP) to the commonly used absorbent fibrous materials.

The ability of these absorbent cores to manage the typical surges of liquid flow is heavily dependent on the proper distribution of super absorbent material within the absorbent fluff. When most super absorbent materials absorb aqueous fluids, they swell substantially, often to double their dry dimensions or more at saturation. As these super absorbent materials absorb fluid and swell, they generally become a gelatinous mass.

There has been a trend in reducing the bulk of diapers, in attempts to make them more like underwear and to take up less shelf space in retailer's outlets. Generally, the thinner the diaper, the higher the concentration of super absorbent material required to produce the same level of absorbency. High levels of super absorbent material, however, tend to be more difficult to control and to maintain in position.

In conventional core forming processes, three-dimensional fluff receiving pockets rotate about a vacuum drum. The pockets typically include baffles and screens which permit airflow through the pockets. The fluff is applied to the fluff receiving pockets entrained in air applied to the pockets. The vacuum attracts the fluff to a screen-like mesh that forms the pockets. The fluff is retained by the pockets, and the amount of fluff builds up from the screen forming the pocket. However, some fluff passes through the screen of the pockets and into the vacuum stream that is drawing the fluff into the pocket. Thus, some fluff undesirably becomes entrained in the vacuum stream.

In the core forming process, it is required to balance the amount of air urging the fluff towards the core forming pocket and the amount of vacuum used to retain the fluff within the pocket. Machine processes have become more complex as speeds of machines have increased, so air handling systems used in this process have greater demands placed on them. For instance, if the machine is running faster, pulp is required to be delivered to the core forming pocket quicker, necessitating a greater air flow to the pocket. To deliver more pulp to the pocket, more vacuum is required to retain the pulp within the pocket. One complication is in achieving optimum balance between air in to the pocket and vacuum applied to the back side of the pocket.

Imbalance between the amount of air supplying pulp to the core forming pocket and vacuum applied to the back of the pocket, holding the fluff in, causes puffs of fluff to escape forming chamber. Conventional core forming technology allows for limited adjustability to try and achieve the optimum balance between air in and vacuum. The largest air delivery is from fiberizing mill which supplies fluff and blows the fluff into the core forming chamber.

Another source of air into forming process is from the dust collection equipment, which returns collected fluff from the vacuum stream to the core forming drum. Beginning with fluff that passes through the core forming pocket, the vacuum stream leads the fluff within the vacuum stream to the dust collection unit. A filter within the dust collection unit captures this fluff, this fluff is removed from the filter, and recirculated into the core forming process. Typically, this vacuum stream is fed into a drum filter housing, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,679,136, commercial embodiments of which are available from the Osprey Corporation, and which is incorporated herein by reference.

The process of removing dust off of the filter uses a high volume of air. It must collect all of the dust, and return the fluff dust to core forming ducting. When the diaper making machine is stopped, it is undesirable to return fluff to the core forming process, because the core forming process is on hold until regular operation resumes. Ordinarily, in a shut down situation, the vacuum off of the filter in the dust collection unit is still operating, and collected fluff or dust gets diverted to a main drum filter. This process forms a closed loop recirculation while machine is idle. However, components of the system, such as a nozzle fan, end up beating the recirculated pulp into a fine powder, and this is undesirable because the powdered fluff lacks fluid retaining characteristics.

Other sources of air delivery to the forming chamber include the SAP delivery system, and air-bleed openings in the forming chamber itself.

It is desired to reduce air flow from the dust return system in order to achieve greater adjustability to try and achieve the optimum balance between air in and vacuum. It is also desired to reduce the destruction of recirculated pulp to obtain better fluid retaining characteristics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the invention comprises several variations of core formation techniques, including a large and small discrete core, formed on a screen and combined; a large and small continuous core, formed on a web; and a single two or three-dimensional core formed on a screen or formed on a web. Additionally, and pre-made air-laid web on or in or between or under several core variations are disclosed. Of course, various combinations of the above methods and apparatus can be combined to form additional variations.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for forming an absorbent core or cores. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for withdrawing fibrous material from a core forming drum, separating the fibrous material from an air stream, and forming the core from fibrous material and super absorbent polymers into different configurations. Cores can be paired together to form a core of different profile, and cores can be wrapped individually and placed and combined.

A method of forming an absorbent core comprising forming a first core having a first fluff layer and a second super absorbent polymer and fluff mixture layer at a first speed, forming a second core having a first fluff layer and a second super absorbent polymer and fluff mixture layer at a second speed, debulking and scarfing said first and second cores, accelerating the second, smaller core from the second speed to substantially match the first speed, and combining the first and second cores is disclosed.

Said first core can have a contoured figure such as a peanut shaped figure (FIG. 15), and said second core can a substantially rectangular figure, and said second core can be smaller than said first core.

The combined first and second cores are deposited onto a top side of a carrier layer traveling at substantially said first speed.

The fluff layers and fluff/SAP layers can be alternated, and either can be placed face down onto said carrier layer.

One or both of said first or said second cores can be wrapped with a material layer prior to deposition on said carrier layer.

Either the first or the second core can be placed directly onto the carrier layer. Either of the fluff layers and fluff/SAP layers of the first or second cores can be placed directly onto the carrier layer. In one embodiment, the first core is made by a first forming drum and said second core is made by a second forming drum. Alternatively, the second core and is made by a first forming drum and the first core is made by a second forming drum. Still alternatively, at least one of said first core and said second core are formed from a pre-made, air-laid material.

The cores can either be of similar size, or a bigger/smaller arrangement, and can be similar or different shapes.

Cores can either be formed on a pocket type core forming drum, or a single circumferential pocket on a core forming drum can be used, and then discrete core pieces from a continuous strip of core material can be severed by a core knife.

Three dimensional cores are also disclosed, in which the core has a width, a length, and at least two different heights.

To summarize the core element variables, the core element variables can include two dimensional cores (uniform thickness or height), or three dimensional cores (variable thickness or height).

Core layering can be achieved by a full fluff/SAP blend, providing a first dusting or fluff layer under or over the fluff/SAP blend, providing a first and second dusting or fluff layers under and over the fluff/SAP blend, and providing a core formed of just fluff.

Next, the cores can be formed on a screen or on a web.

Next, the cores can be discrete and unwrapped, discrete and wrapped, discrete and wrapped with the wrap longer than the core and glued to form a teabag type structure (in this embodiment the wrap is cut). The cores can also be continuous and unwrapped and cut, continuous and wrapped and cut, or the cores can be continuous and continuously wrapped, and both the core and the wrap are cut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings illustrate embodiments presently contemplated for carrying out the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of the present invention, a large and small discrete core, formed on a screen and combined, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a large and small discrete core forming unit, formed on a screen and combined, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a drum for forming a large and small discrete core, formed on a screen and combined, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIGS. 4A and 4B are plan views of cores formed according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5-12 are side views of a core structure deposition and scarfing operation;

FIG. 13 is a side view of an assembled core;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of an assembled core;

FIG. 15 is a schematic of a second embodiment of the present invention, a large and small continuous core, formed on a web;

FIG. 16 is a side view of a large and small discrete core forming unit, a large and small continuous core, formed on a web;

FIG. 17 is a side view of a drum for forming a large and small continuous core, formed on a web;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are plan views of a large and small continuous core, formed on a web formed according to the present invention;

FIGS. 19-26 are side views of a scarfing operation;

FIG. 27 is a side view of an assembled large and small continuous core;

FIG. 28 is a plan view of an assembled large and small continuous core;

FIG. 29 is a schematic of a third embodiment of the present invention, a single three-dimensional core formed on a screen, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIG. 30 is a side view of a single three-dimensional core formed on a screen core forming unit;

FIG. 31 is a side view of a drum for forming a single three-dimensional core formed on a screen;

FIG. 32 is a plan view of a large and small continuous core, formed on a web formed according to the present invention;

FIGS. 33-36 are side views of a scarfing operation;

FIG. 37 is a side view of an assembled single three-dimensional core formed on a screen;

FIG. 38 is a plan view of an assembled single three-dimensional core formed on a screen.

FIGS. 39-41 describe formation of a dual core, with a larger, non-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a tissue-wrapped small core structure;

FIG. 39 is a schematic of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, with a larger, non-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a tissue-wrapped small core structure, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIG. 40 is a side view of a large and small discrete core forming unit, with a larger, non-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a tissue-wrapped small core structure, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIG. 41a is a cross sectional view of a larger, non-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a tissue-wrapped small core structure;

FIGS. 41b and 41c are plan and cross sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the product shown in FIG. 41a , respectively;

FIGS. 42-44 describe formation of a dual core, with a small, tissue-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a non-wrapped larger core structure;

FIG. 42 is a schematic of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, with a small, tissue-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a non-wrapped larger core structure, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIG. 43 is a side view of a large and small discrete core forming unit, with a small, tissue-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a non-wrapped larger core structure, and then passed downstream for further processing;

FIG. 44 is a cross sectional view of a with a small, tissue-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a non-wrapped larger core structure;

FIG. 45 is a side schematic type view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a machine employing pre-made air-laid webs introduced into the core forming process;

FIGS. 46-52 are side views of various core deposition configurations both with and without introduction of a pre-made air-laid layer in various positions;

FIG. 53 is a front view of a large and small discrete core forming unit, formed on a screen and combined, and then passed downstream for further processing with optional fluff introduction;

FIG. 54 is a cross-sectional view of a possible strata configuration produced by the machine of FIG. 53;

FIGS. 55-60 are side views of an alternate core structure deposition and scarfing operation for creating a first core;

FIGS. 61-66 are side views of an alternate core structure deposition and scarfing operation for creating a second core;

FIGS. 67 and 68 are a cross-sectional and a top view of the placed formed cores of FIGS. 55-66 respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a schematic of one embodiment of the present invention, a large and small discrete core, formed on a screen and combined, and then passed downstream for further processing is shown. As can be seen, two simultaneously operating core forming units, one big and one small, are used to form a big core and a small core, both preferably comprised of fluff and SAP. The small core is accelerated to match the speed of the large core prior to downstream processing.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a side view of a large and small discrete core forming 10 units is shown.

A small core forming drum 12S (to form small cores) is first, followed by a big core forming drum 12B (to form big cores). Both of these drums 12S and 12B receive a first layer of dust or fluff/SAP mixture 30 from Fluff/SAP introduction unit 16, onto a pocketed drum 12S or 12B, shown in side view in FIG. 3. Processes on the drums can include fluff and sap deposition, scarfing, fluff deposition, and another scarfing operation. The core can be scarfed by scarfing unit 14, which discharges and recycles the scarfed material back into the system through discharge 14D. Next, an additional layer of fluff 28 from fluff introduction unit 18 is applied atop the SAP/Fluff mixture. One purpose of the addition of an independent fluff layer 28 is to isolate SAP from contacting unintended surfaces, because the SAP can have a tendency to be abrasive and migrate. This sequence is depicted in FIGS. 5-8 for formation of the big core 26B, and FIGS. 9-12 for formation of the small core 26S. In FIGS. 5-8, a SAP/Fluff mixture 30 is first deposited (FIG. 5), and scarfed by scarfing unit (FIG. 6), next a fluff layer 28 is deposited and scarfed (FIGS. 7a and 7b ) and then deposited onto running web 120 (FIG. 8).

The big core forming drum 12B deposits a big core 26B onto a conveyor 24 following debulking unit 20 (FIG. 4a ), and after being carried downstream, it receives, after an optional scarfing unit 14, the small core 26S which can be passed through debulking unit 20 and then to a core acceleration unit 22 to match speeds with the big core 26B (FIG. 4B).

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, a side and top view of an assembled core 26 is shown. As can be seen, the core comprises essentially four layers: the small core 26 s having a SAP/Fluff mixture 30 on top, and a fluff layer 28, the large core 26B likewise having a SAP/Fluff mixture 30 on top, and a fluff layer 28. This assembled core is then passed downstream for further processing as desired. As can be seen in FIG. 14, in one embodiment the core 26B is contoured in a peanut-shaped configuration.

Referring now to FIG. 15, a schematic of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown, a large and small continuous core, both formed on a web.

Referring now to FIG. 16, a side view of a large and small discrete core forming unit, a large and small continuous core, formed on a web is shown. The first step in the sequence of formation of both the big and small cores is introduction of a non-woven web 50. Atop this layer is applied fluff 28 by fluff introduction unit 18. Next, SAP/fluff mix 30 is applied through the SAP/Fluff introduction system 40. An optional scarfing unit 14 can be used (recycled scarf material recycled through scarf recycling pathway 14D), followed by a debulking unit 20. As can be seen in FIG. 17, the drums 12B and 12S of this system can have a continuous pocket for forming a running web of continuous core material (cut to discrete core pieces by a core knife, described later). As shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, plan views of a big and small continuous core 46B and 46S respectively are so formed. The scarfing operations of FIGS. 19-26 are side views of a scarfing operation which are optionally used on the uncovered sides of the cores 46B and 46S. A core is formed as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, essentially to individually wrapped cores 46B and 46S.

During formation of the small core 46S, the continuous core is cut after formation using anvil/knife unit 46, and speed matched by rotating drum 44 and applied atop continuous web 46B. The continuous web 46B (now carrying severed small cores 46S) is then cut with knife 42, completing formation of the discrete cores 46 for further downstream processing.

Referring now to FIG. 29, a schematic of a third embodiment of the present invention, a single two or three-dimensional core formed on a screen (and/or formed on web), and then passed downstream for further processing is shown.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, a side view of a single three-dimensional core formed on a screen core forming unit, a first fluff layer 28 from the fluff introduction unit 18 is deposited onto the drum 12 (with a three dimensional pocket, FIG. 31), followed by SAP/Fluff mixture 30 through introduction unit 16/18. Scarfing unit 14 is employed followed by a transfer roll 20, (debulking/embossing, or two debulking units, and an optional knife 42). The scarfing unit 14 of this embodiment could scarf outer boundaries of the composite core 56 (FIG. 32), or a debulker could compress the shape by a pocket component to result in the three-dimensional, two layer profile shown in FIG. 37 (shown in plan on FIG. 38). In the embodiment of FIGS. 37 and 38, the cores have identical lengths (from top to bottom). The bottom core has a larger width (side to side), but the top core can have at least two different heights (seen in FIG. 37) to form a three dimensional core.

In summary, either a one drum or a two drum unit can be employed to form cores of the present invention. The drums can be either shaped, homogenous, and a dust layer can be employed where desired. A form-on tissue method can be employed for either the small core, the large core, a single wrap or both. Debulking and placing can also be combined as desired to form a desired core.

Referring now to FIGS. 39-41 a, formation of a dual core, with a larger, non-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a tissue-wrapped small core structure is described.

Referring specifically to FIG. 39, a schematic of an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown, with a larger, non-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a tissue-wrapped small core structure, and then passed downstream for further processing.

FIG. 40 is a side view of a large and small discrete core forming unit to perform the methods described in FIG. 39. Both of these drums 12S and 12B receive a first layer of dust or fluff/SAP mixture 30 from Fluff/SAP introduction unit 16, onto a pocketed drum 12S or 12B, shown in side view in FIG. 3. The core can be scarfed by scarfing unit 14, which discharges and recycles the scarfed material back into the system through discharge 14D. Next, an additional layer of fluff 28 from fluff introduction unit 18 is applied atop the SAP/Fluff mixture.

The big core forming drum 12B deposits a big core 26B onto a conveyor 24 following debulking unit 20, and after being carried downstream, it receives, after an optional scarfing unit 14, the small core 26S which can be passed through debulking unit 20 and then to a core acceleration unit 22 to match speeds with the big core 26B. Debulking unit 20, as shown in FIG. 40, can comprise a first debulking component 20 a, a second embossing unit 20 b, and a third core knife station 20 c. In this embodiment, the small core 26 is wrapped with a two-piece wrap comprising a first, base tissue 114 fed onto the drum 12S onto which the core 26S is formed. After coming off of the core forming unit 12S and onto conveyor 24, a second, upper tissue 112 is applied to the core 26S by tissue applicator 110, preferably in the manner shown in cross-sectional view in FIG. 41a . The core 26 s can be cut on a third station shown schematically at unit 20. The wrapped small core 26S is then deposited on top of the larger, non-wrapped core 26B, and the two cores 26S and 26B are deposited onto incoming poly layer 116, combined by compression unit 118, resulting in a cross-sectional two piece core as shown in FIG. 41 a.

Referring to FIGS. 41b and 41c , plan and cross sectional views of an alternative embodiment of the product shown in FIG. 41a , respectively are shown. In this embodiment, a margin 250 is glued, to close the ends of the tissue wrap 114, to create a tea-bag type structure.

Referring now to FIGS. 42-44, an alternate embodiment of a dual core structure is shown, with a small, tissue-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a non-wrapped larger core structure.

FIG. 42 is a schematic of machinery to perform this alternate embodiment of the present invention, with a small, tissue-wrapped core structure laid upon a poly layer, topped by a non-wrapped larger core structure, and then passed downstream for further processing.

Referring now to FIG. 43, a side view of a small (wrapped) and large discrete core forming unit to perform the methods described in FIG. 39 is shown. Again, both of the drums 12S and 12B receive a first layer of dust or fluff/SAP mixture 30 from Fluff/SAP introduction unit 16, onto a pocketed drum 12S or 12B, shown in side view in FIG. 3. The core can be scarfed by scarfing unit 14, which discharges and recycles the scarfed material back into the system through discharge 14D. Next, an additional layer of fluff 28 from fluff introduction unit 18 is applied atop the SAP/Fluff mixture.

The small core forming drum 12S deposits a small, wrapped core 26S onto a conveyor 24 following debulking unit 20, and after being carried downstream, it receives, after an optional scarfing unit 14, the small core 26S which can be passed through debulking unit 20 and then to a core acceleration unit 22 to match speeds with the big core 26B.

In this embodiment, the small core 26 is wrapped with a two-piece wrap comprising a first, base tissue 114 fed onto the drum 12S onto which the core 26S is formed. After coming off of the core forming unit 12S and onto conveyor 24, a second, upper tissue 112 is applied to the core 26S by tissue applicator 110, preferably in the manner shown in cross-sectional view in FIG. 43. The large core 26S is then deposited on top of the smaller, wrapped core 26S, and the two cores 26S and 26B are deposited onto incoming poly layer 116, combined by compression unit 118, resulting in a cross-sectional two piece core as shown in FIG. 44.

Referring now to FIG. 45, a side schematic type view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention, a machine employing pre-made air-laid webs introduced into the core forming process. Pre-made air-laid webs 216, 218, and 220 can be introduced into the core forming process in various configurations, as depicted in FIGS. 46-52.

Referring to FIG. 45, a first, discrete core forming drum 210 is shown, similar to previously described core forming drums. A continuous core forming drum 212 can be provided with a tissue wrap 114 to wrap the formed core. A first debulking component 20 a, a second embossing unit 20 b, and a third core knife station 20 c are together used to process the continuous core prior to placement atop the previously formed discrete core.

Referring to FIGS. 46-52, various core deposition configurations both with and without introduction of a pre-made air-laid layer in various positions are shown. In FIG. 46, small core 26S is wrapped by core wrap 114, and carried by large core 26B, which is carried by poly layer 230 and backsheet 234, which together sandwich crotch elastics 232.

Referring to FIG. 47, a first pre-made air-laid web 220 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45) replaces small core 26S, and this web 220 serves as the small core.

Referring to FIG. 48, a pre-made air-laid layer 218 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45) is provided atop a small core 26S wrapped by wrap 114.

Referring to FIG. 49, both a pre-made air-laid layer 216 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45) and small core 26S can be wrapped by wrap 114 and placed atop large core 26B. Small core 26S can comprise either just fluff material 28, or a layered core as described previously.

Referring to FIG. 50, small core 26S can be wrapped with tissue 114, carried by core 26B, which can in turn be carried by pre-made air-laid layer 218 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45).

Referring to FIG. 51, pre-made air-laid layer 218 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45) can be carried by wrapped small core 26, carried by core 26B, carried by a second pre-made air-laid layer 220 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45).

Referring to FIG. 52, wrapped small core 26 can be carried by pre-made air-laid layer 218 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45), which can in turn be carried by core 26B, carried by a second pre-made air-laid layer 220 (provided by the unit shown in FIG. 45).

Referring now to FIG. 53 is a front view of a large and small discrete core forming unit similar to that shown in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, additional optional fluff layers 28 can be incorporated to result in cores with cross-sections as shown in FIG. 54.

Referring now to FIGS. 55-60, side views of an alternate core structure deposition and scarfing operation for creating a first core are shown. In this embodiment, a first fluff layer 28 is deposited, next a fluff/SAP mixture 30 is provided and scarfed, and next a second fluff layer 28 is deposited and scarfed, to result in the small core 26S with the configuration shown in FIG. 60 A similar process is shown in FIGS. 61-66 for creating a second core 26B.

FIGS. 67 and 68 are a cross-sectional and a top view of the placed formed cores 26S and 26B of FIGS. 55-66.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An absorbent core forming system comprising: a first core-forming drum configured to form a first core; a second core-forming drum configured to form a second core; an absorbent material introduction unit positioned adjacent each of the first core-forming drum and the second core-forming drum and configured to apply an absorbent material thereon for forming the first and second cores; a web introduction unit positioned adjacent to the first core-forming drum and/or the second core-forming drum and configured to introduce a non-woven web to the first core-forming drum and/or the second core-forming drum, with the absorbent material applied onto the non-woven web; a first debulking unit configured to debulk the first core; a second debulking unit configured to debulk the second core positioned downstream from the first debulking unit; and a means for combining the debulked first core and the debulked second core to form an assembled absorbent core.
 22. The system of claim 21 wherein at least one of the first debulking unit and the second debulking unit comprises a calendar unit configured to mechanically compress the first core and/or the second core.
 23. The system of claim 21 wherein the means for combining the debulked first core and the debulked second core comprises a conveyor on which the first core and the second core are translated.
 24. The system of claim 23 wherein the means for combining the debulked first core and the debulked second core further comprises one or more accelerator units configured to accelerate a speed of at least one of the first core and the second core to move at a same speed as the other of the first core and the second core moving on the conveyor.
 25. The system of claim 21 wherein the absorbent material comprises a super absorbent polymer (SAP) or a mixture of fluff and SAP.
 26. The system of claim 25 wherein at least one of the first core-forming drum and the second core-forming drum comprises a discrete pocket formed therein in which the SAP or mixture of fluff and SAP is applied, so as to form a discrete core in the discrete pocket.
 27. The system of claim 25 wherein at least one of the first core-forming drum and the second core-forming drum comprises a continuous pocket formed therein in which the SAP or mixture of fluff and SAP is applied, so as to form a continuous core material in the continuous pocket; and wherein the system further comprises a knife configured to cut the continuous core material, after debulking thereof, to form discrete cores.
 28. The system of claim 25 further comprising a third absorbent material introduction unit positioned adjacent one or more of the first core-forming drum and the second core-forming drum and configured to apply fluff onto the SAP or mixture of fluff and SAP.
 29. The system of claim 21 wherein the web introduction unit is positioned adjacent to the first core-forming drum and configured to introduce the non-woven web thereon; and wherein the system further comprises: a tissue applicator unit positioned adjacent to the second core-forming drum and configured to: apply a base tissue layer to the second core-forming drum such that the absorbent material is applied onto the base tissue layer; and apply an upper tissue layer to the second core after the second core has been removed from the second core-forming drum, with the base tissue layer and top tissue layer wrapping the second core; and a knife station configured to cut the upper and lower tissue layers, so as to form a discrete wrapped second core.
 30. A method of forming an absorbent core comprising: forming a first core on a first core-forming drum; debulking the first core at a first debulking unit; forming a second core on a second core-forming drum; debulking the second core at a second debulking unit that is separate from the first debulking unit; and combining the debulked first core and the debulked second core to form an assembled absorbent core; wherein forming the first core and/or forming the second core further comprises introducing a non-woven web to the first core-forming drum and/or the second core-forming drum and applying an absorbent material onto the non-woven web, the absorbent material comprising super absorbent polymer (SAP) or a combination of fluff and SAP.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein debulking the first core and debulking the second core comprises calendaring the first core and the second core to mechanically compress the first core and the second core.
 32. The method of claim 30 wherein, in combining the debulked first core and the debulked second core, the method comprises: after debulking the first core, depositing the first core onto a running web; conveying the running web and the first core toward the second core-forming drum; and after debulking the second core, depositing the second core onto the first core.
 33. The method of claim 32 further comprising: receiving the second core at a core acceleration unit; accelerating the second core with the core acceleration unit; and depositing the second core from the core acceleration unit onto the first core, with the core acceleration unit functioning to adjust a speed of the second core to align the second core with the first core.
 34. The method of claim 30 wherein at least one of said first and said second cores are formed as a continuous core web, said continuous core web cut by a knife to form discrete cores.
 35. The method of claim 30 wherein the first core is formed by applying the absorbent material onto the non-woven web and the second core is formed without the non-woven web, and wherein forming the second core comprises: applying a base tissue layer to the second core-forming drum; applying the SAP or combination of fluff and SAP onto the base tissue layer; and applying an upper tissue layer to the second core after the second core has been removed from the second core-forming drum, with the base tissue layer and top tissue layer wrapping the second core.
 36. The method of claim 35 further comprising cutting the upper and base tissue layers via a knife station, so as to form a discrete wrapped second core.
 37. The method of claim 36 wherein combining the debulked first core and the debulked second core comprises: depositing the discrete wrapped second core onto the debulked first core; depositing the discrete wrapped second core and the debulked first core onto a poly layer; and compressing the discrete wrapped second core and the debulked first core via a compression unit, to form the assembled absorbent core.
 38. An absorbent core forming system comprising: material supply units configured to provide absorbent core material; a first core-forming drum positioned to receive absorbent core material from one of the material supply units and configured to form a first core; a second core-forming drum positioned to receive absorbent core material from one of the material supply units and configured to form a second core; a web introduction unit positioned adjacent to the first core-forming drum and/or the second core-forming drum and configured to introduce a non-woven web to the first core-forming drum and/or the second core-forming drum, with the absorbent core material applied onto the non-woven web; a first debulking unit positioned adjacent the first core-forming drum and configured to debulk the first core; a second debulking unit positioned adjacent the second core-forming drum configured to debulk the second core and that is separate from the first debulking unit; and a means for combining the debulked first core and the debulked second core to form an assembled absorbent core; wherein the first debulking unit and second debulking unit interact with the first core-forming drum and second core-forming drum, respectively, to compress the first core and the second core.
 39. The system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the first core-forming drum and the second core-forming drum comprises a discrete pocket formed therein in which the absorbent core material is applied, so as to form a discrete core in the discrete pocket.
 40. The system of claim 38 wherein at least one of the first core-forming drum and the second core-forming drum comprises a continuous pocket formed therein in which the absorbent core material is applied, so as to form a continuous core material in the continuous pocket; and wherein the system further comprises a knife configured to cut the continuous core material, after debulking thereof, to form discrete cores. 